Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful wooden icon depicting the Deposition of Christ - the moment when Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take Christ down from the cross after his crucifixion - all carefully delineated in in vibrant hues of red, blue, green, tan, white, black, brown, and copper egg tempera on gesso. The 13th Station of the Cross, this classic scene from the Gospels shows the crucifix at the center with Joseph of Arimathea lowering the upper half of Christ's lifeless body as John the Evangelist laments at Christ's feet where Nicodemus is still removing the nails. Mary holds her son's head, kissing his wounds, while Mary Clopas and Mary Magdalene flank the scene. All the figures are draped in billowing robes and don mournful expressions as they gaze at the corpse of their messiah in disbelief. A Cyrillic inscription at the top states the title of the icon. Size: 12.3" W x 15.7" H (31.2 cm x 39.9 cm)

Icons were some of the first religious artworks brought to Russia from Byzantium. These sacred pictures reached a high point in the Byzantine era; however, the Russians brought their own style to the art of the icon. Icons were initially created for use in churches and processions. In time they became smaller and were used increasingly within households. To this day they remain an important form of visual culture in Russia's orthodox religious community.

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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#167313

Repaired from 2 pieces with break line visible and staples on verso. Area of loss to wood on right periphery, as well as loss to gesso and tempera in upper left corner. Chips, nicks, and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments.